NBA

Since Yao Ming blazed the trail from 2002 to 2011, the story of Chinese players in the NBA has been one of pioneering ambition. Wang Zhizhi became the first Asian-born player ever drafted, while Yi Jianlian followed in Yao's footsteps. Today, the NBA Academy China in Nanjing is cultivating a new generation of prospects who carry the hopes of 1.4 billion fans on their shoulders.

The modern pipeline runs through elite high school programs, the NBA G League Ignite, and a handful of players testing the waters in the draft combine. China's domestic CBA league has simultaneously raised the standard, meaning the next Chinese NBA star will arrive more polished and better prepared than any predecessor.

继姚明开创先河之后，中国篮球正在孕育新一代的NBA人才。新物种将持续追踪这条通往最高舞台的成长之路。